Hugh Jackman has been in everything in Hollywood, from massive blockbuster hits to smaller-scale pictures. The actor is known for his portrayal of Logan/Wolverine across several X-Men films and Logan; however, that's just the tip of the iceberg for his long and illustrious career. The Greatest Showman, Prisoners, and Les Misérables are just a few films that displayed the versatility and talent from Jackman, although his credits extend far past those projects.
Now, the 53-year-old actor is set to star in The Son, an upcoming film acting as a prequel to The Father, which released in 2021. The movie is adapted from the stage play by Florian Zeller and Christopher Hampton. The official synopsis for the film reads: "Peter has his busy life with new partner Beth and their baby thrown into disarray when his ex-wife Kate turns up with their teenage son, Nicholas." During the Venice press tour for the film, Jackman tells Deadline he had a compulsion to star in The Son after reading the script, saying he got "a feeling you rarely get as an actor."
"[I had] a feeling like a fire in my gut, it was a compulsion... A feeling you rarely get as an actor: This part is for you and you must play it."
Fans can see Hugh Jackman's performance when The Son releases in theaters across the United States later this year, with the initial rollout beginning on Nov. 11.
Jackman Hopes The Son Will Start Conversations Surrounding Vulnerability
The Son will show a vulnerable side to Hugh Jackman's character while parenting his children, and the actor hopes this starts conversations outside the film. Mental health is becoming a topic discussed more and more, and The Son will bring the discussion to the forefront. Jackman tells Deadline he relates to the film as a parent and realizes his powerlessness in certain situations.
"The movie really does see how isolated, particularly around mental health issues, people get. There is a shame, there is a guilt, there is an intense desire to fix things... But realizing our powerlessness, and I can relate to this as a parent, admitting and leading with that vulnerability leads to the possibility of really actually being able to understand and empathize with those people around you, to walk in their shoes and to have real honesty... Hopefully the movie does start conversations, hopefully the movie reminds us to never worry alone."
The Son stars Vanessa Kirby, Anthony Hopkins, Laura Dern, and Zen McGrath alongside Jackman. Florian Zeller will helm the project and write the screenplay with Christopher Hampton. The Son arrives on Nov. 11 in New York and Los Angeles before its domestic distribution.